Mel Gibson's Apology Embraced by Jewish Groups  8/6/06

Mel Gibson has been invited to meet with three prominent American Jewish groups, after his apology for making anti-Semitic remarks when he was arrested for drunk driving last week.

Gibson is alleged to have voiced his apparent hatred of Jews as he was being questioned by California police officer James Mee after he was caught speeding through Malibu, California, while drunk.

He has apologized publicly, asking the Jewish community to assist his "journey through recovery".

The 1939 Club, New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage and a Beverly Hills rabbi have all reached out and Gibson to meet with them.

1939 Club president William Elperin says. "Our members are offering that help, by assisting Mr Gibson in understanding the extremes of anti-Semitism and what they and their families - many of whom were slaughtered by the Nazis - endured."

Museum of Jewish Heritage director David Marwell responded with a letter to Gibson that reads, "I would like to invite you to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.

"We trust that you will not forget what has brought you to this point, but we would also like to support you in your efforts to create a better future."

Rabbi David Baron has invited the 50-year-old actor to speak at his synagogue for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, on 1 October (06).